Oxbridge 2024 Entry

[Lightsabre]

Thought I'd start a thread for parents of dc considering Oxbridge applications for entry in Oct 2024 (I don't think there's a current one)? Past threads have been so informative and supportive and hopefully this thread will offer that too. Please feel free to add to the thread if your dc have recently had experience of the process, good, bad or ugly!

Lambs to the slaughter 😀

I have a feeling that my DS may do all the Maths talks tomorrow! How many colleges did those of you who went today manage to visit?

After seeing all the publicity today, I remembered that quite a good thing was the "meet the tutor" that some colleges do. I think that they are advised by the individual colleges, but I'm not sure

@mushroom3 we went to 2 colleges. Had a maths tutor talk and a wander round Balliol and also walked round Keble including going to look at a student room. We were only in Oxford for 6 hours so we're a bit limited for time. It was enough for DS to get a good feel for the place.

thanks @Mumski45 we are there for 8 hours so it sounds like we may make 3 colleges if time allows!

How did he do in GSCEs? If he underperformed then his college will need to make a clear case for him at Oxford where GCSEs are more important in admissions terms than they are at Cambridge. Even if he scores extremely well in the HAT he may need some help with explaining sub par GCSEs. Perhaps they weren't sub par! In which case apologies :)

@goodbyestranger I had a conversation on the topic of sub par GCSEs .with the aspire tutor at our 6th form who deals with Oxbridge applicants and is Oxford classics alumni.

Just for the record the response was: 'Sometimes a discrepancy between GCSE and A-Level can be a very powerful factor for evidencing potential, especially if it's accompanied with some proper context.'

So whether DS ends up getting through the process at Oxford or ends up elsewhere it is clear that sub par GCSEs are not always a barrier.

I know you weren't claiming that it is insurmountable but I just feel it is important that kids with a slightly different background (and their families) are not necessarily put off making applications.

What a read this thread is. Pretty depressing. DD from a shit state school is at Camb - never did an essay comp, never tutored, no DofE. Still got an offer. The privilege on this thread is astounding - fortunately Oxbridge now get it and disregard your kids’ paid-for work experience and connections

@Hushtigermums don’t be depressed. I came here looking for advice for my nephew who admittedly is at a good state school but nevertheless one that has never sent a pupil to Oxbridge. I got great advice here from some lovely MN people full of ideas and knowledge and happy to share it.

These tigermums are just pussycats really!

And I went to Oxford having never done an essay comp, never had tutoring and never done DofE.

I am confident enough to own my background and know that brains and motivation are enough to get you where you want to be, but I cannot resent people with more resources than me for trying to use them to help their kids get the best start in life.

Meanwhile my own dd has never had a tutor, never done an essay comp, never tutored and is at an outstanding state comprehensive that sent one person to Oxbridge in the last 5 years. She’s nearly top of the class and very happy. She will do DofE with the Scouts. She won’t aim for Oxbridge because she isn’t interested in academic life. She certainly isn’t aiming for a 6 figure salary like mum or dad.

Lifeturnsonadime I think my post is fairly straightforward. I explicitly said the GCSEs would need context. That’s perfectly sound advice.

Of course you don’t need essay competitions, but for my son they added structure (often useful to students with autism) to direct research beyond the curriculum. I am not sure why they are being viewed as elitist - it doesn’t cost anything to enter and you can find the references you need from online journals and libraries.

@Hushtigermums congratulations for your child for getting an offer, but if you find this thread depressing there is no need for you to read it unless you have another applying for entry in 2024.

I wouldn't put it so strongly but understand where you are coming from. Wouldn't get depressed - just laugh because as you say Oxbridge do get it and vast majority of people aren't going to get in whatever they have done regarding work experience, essay competitions, coaching, etc. Well done to your DD for getting in. I went to Oxford from an Essex comp in the 80's and the private school privilege I encountered when there was astounding - it was verging on bullying towards me from some people. Luckily that has improved. Two of my children have applied in recent years from state comprehensives. First one didn't get an interview but second has an offer from Cambridge for this year. She didn't do much really beyond the academic other than stuff she could do simply herself - certainly no DoE, no work experience beyond the local coffee shop, etc.

It's not 'elitist' to enter essay competitions. They just Google "essay competitions for x subject" and see what comes up. If they want to have a go they can. It's free to anyone.

It's not exactly elitist, but it's something that's more likely to be on the radar of a child at a school (or from a family) that has heard of essay competitions.

DC1 tried for Cambridge at the last minute, having realised there was an early entry deadline and with almost no practice on the test papers. Didn't get in, but DC2 benefited from that experience by knowing already about early entry, that there would be a test paper, and that essays competitions were a thing.

Work experience as such isn’t required but it might be indicative of potential if top grades are achieved alongside a job or so either commitment.

Interested to know views on in person vs online interviews. I notice that the majority of Cambridge colleges are continuing with online but a handful are going back to face to face this year . Does that mean that already popular colleges that are offering this will be even more popular or am i wrong in assuming most would prefer this option? Dd interested in a college that coincidentally is now offering face to face and I’m worried this will bring the acceptance rate down even more?

Interesting one. My DD preferred online and having done face to face myself I can see why. Much less time required of course and more relaxing in the run up. It is nice visiting for a day or two for interviews but there is time and cost and then some of the stress and mind games being with fellow candidates or alone stewing in a room getting ready. Can see why others might prefer in person though. Not sure if it will make a big difference to popularity of different colleges. Seems like having a good fit for the 3-4 years if more important.

Living in the north and having had a dd go through the process pre-covid, it occurs to me that while it's great there are live open days etc again, online interviews plus unis setting up 'virtual open day' resources are surely a good thing for those who are more far flung and/or who don't have much money for travel. Are the colleges doing F2F keeping an online option?

Interesting perspectives thank you. As far as I can see it is a mix - one college offers a choice, another says can do online in exceptional circumstances, another only in person ….

I have always thought that face-to-face interviews are a hidden barrier to applications. Not everyone can jump on an expensive train/get a lift at short notice!

PhotoDad for Oxford it's usually at least a week's notice with the dates for each subject posted on the website months beforehand. UK travel is covered for those on low incomes regardless of how far they need to come and of course accommodation and food is free.

FWIW every one of my DC, in spite of being technically competent and used to video calls, all say they would have hated online interviews.

I think there could be an argument made that online interviewing disadvantages the already disadvantaged in any event. At least once in Oxford it's a level playing field in terms of environment for the actual interviews.

As far as I can see Oxford is all online still but Cambridge all online with a handful on colleges doing in person

At Oxford today - absolutely heaving, standing room only on the train to and from London. Luckily booked seats and was able to sit in first class on the way home without having a first class ticket as it was so crowded. Liked the course talk and attended a mock interview which was very useful. Also managed to tag on to a students meet the tutor tour (by mistake- thought it was an accommodation tour) and that was enlightening.

Exhausted now.

We were in Oxford today too, had to get up so early for DS to make the history talk which was at 9.30 but it was worth it as he is feeling inspired to definitely apply.

He sees it as a win win because he will either get to go to Oxford if successful and he intends to pick a London uni as a back up as he has always wanted to live there.

We visited 3 colleges but he seems to think he will make an open application as he doesn't really mind which college he ends up in if he is lucky enough to be made an offer. He said that in the history talk they said to try not to get too hung up on the college as even if they don't get the ones they want they are normally happy once there.

What astonished me was how much land the University of Oxford owns. I have been to Oxford so many times and I haven't really thought about it before.

What I liked was the fact that there are so many options for food within all of the colleges we visited, I always worry that DS won't eat!

@Lightsabre agree with how busy it was, we also booked seats which on trains which was a godsend.

Oh and I asked about interviews, admissions seems to think they will remain online.

At Oxford today - absolutely heaving

Posted this on the other thread but DD4 messaged to say over 6000 people visited her college alone over the two days which is astonishing. I guess it's extra busy because it's the first proper Open Day for a while.